Canada is world known for its public funded health system. Each province has its own health system, unique requirements and benefits. See the names and hyperlinks to each of the provincial health insurance plans.

Further down the procedure to apply for a Ontario Health Insurance Card, will be explained.

Alberta - Alberta Health Care Insurance plans

British Columbia - Medical Services Plan of BC

Manitoba - Manitoba Health Services Insurance Plan

New Brunswick - Medicare in New Brunswick

Newfoundland - Newfoundland Medical Care Plan

Northwest Territories - Department of Health and Social Services

Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia Department of Health

Nunavut - Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services

Ontario - Ontario Health Insurance Plan

Prince Edward Island - Health and Social Services

Quebec - Quebec Medical Insurance Agency (French)

Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Medical Services and Health Registration

Yukon - Yukon Health and Social Services

Applying for an Ontario Health Insurance Card: Procedure

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not include medicine (drugs), dental care, cosmetic surgery or eye glasses. A person receive a free eye test from OHIP every year or two, but not glasses.

When a resident/immigrant find full time employment the employer might provide a subsidy or medical plan for medicine. 

OHIP only start to work after an immigrant has been in Ontario for 3 months.  For example:  An immigrant land in Ontario on 1 January 2003. The immigrant completes an application for OHIP on 20 February  2003. The person is eligible for health insurance from 1 April 2003, which is three months from landing in Canada, and not three months from applying for the OHIP card. The important aspect is the date when the immigrant has landed in Ontario, not the actual date of application.

Immigrants should try and get the application done within days of arriving, as there might not be much time later. Some immigrants work on a hourly rate and if a person need to complete the application later it might result in lost income. Residents of Ontario do not contribute to this plan. In other provinces, the provincial medical plan requires a monthly contribution by members.          

Firstly the resident must proof that he or she is a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant. Bring an original of one of the following:

Secondly an immigrant has to proof that he or she is living in Ontario. This can be done by one of the following original documents (there are more than the ones listed):

Thirdly an immigrant has to show that they are the person they claim to be. It has to be an original document with a name and signature. These include:

Make a copy of your health card and keep it in a safe place. If  a OHIP card is lost, a copy might help to get a replacement issued.  

During the compulsory three month period, an immigrant can apply for tourist health insurance. This is a rate paid per day. Immigrants trying to get insurance in their home countries, might have some difficulty as many travel agents require return tickets in order to sell medical insurance. Some banks have special arrangements  that include relatively cheap medical insurance when an emiigrant buys airline tickets with a credit card. This however is only valid when the emigrant buys a return ticket with the credit card. Claims might also only be processed  back in the country where the insurance was bought. Therefore be careful. Matrixvisa Inc do assist immigrants or visitors with medical/health insurance while they do not qualify for their provincial medical plans, such as OHIP in Ontario. Contact us for more details.